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Topic Review (Newest First)

09-11-2014 01:11 PM

Sabis mom

Quote:

Originally Posted by John C.

Hi Sabis Mom. Your posts really hit a nerve with me. I lost my beloved Cosmo last year. Initially he was mis-diagnosed with DM. However, when we took him to a specialist and an MRI was performed, it turned out to be a disc injury to his back. The effects were still the same, even after surgery he was unable to walk, and eventually he started losing control of his bowls. It was incredibly difficult and not something I would ever want to go through again.

We did get a new puppy about 3 months ago, in part because we missed Cosmo so much. Being in a similar position to you, I do have a word of warning - no dog will ever replace the dog you lost and it is unfair to compare the new puppy to your old dog because he will always come up short. My memory of Cosmo was that he was almost perfect right out of the box. We did a fair amount of obedience when he was younger and it seemed like I never had to give him a correction. Once he understood what you wanted him to do, he was happy to do it. And he loved and was totally focused when we did training.

The new puppy is an obedience challenge. He will obey you and pay attention. Except if it's hot. Or he's tired. Or he's bored. Or there's an interesting smell on the ground. Or a butterfly flutters past. And while Cosmo was always calm indoors and willingly went into his crate on command, the puppy is a hellion in the house and has to be cornered and captured before he will grudgingly go into his crate.

Of course, I'm sure I've forgot what Cosmo was like as a puppy. And Cosmo was dog aggressive and could be sharp around people. And when riding in the car had to bark at every single person we drove past.

My point is that every dog is a unique individual, with pluses and minuses. It is unfair to compare one dog to another. And especially unfair to compare an untrained and immature puppy to the happy memories you have of his mature, fully trained predecessor.

So sorry for your loss, it really is heartbreaking to watch them go out like like.

I would never compare a pup to Sabi, I just want the breed qualities that made her so awesome. I thought a pup would fill some of the emptiness here. The two I have are great but they are not capable of being my constant companions as Sabs was, and I miss that.

09-11-2014 12:18 PM

John C.

Hi Sabis Mom. Your posts really hit a nerve with me. I lost my beloved Cosmo last year. Initially he was mis-diagnosed with DM. However, when we took him to a specialist and an MRI was performed, it turned out to be a disc injury to his back. The effects were still the same, even after surgery he was unable to walk, and eventually he started losing control of his bowls. It was incredibly difficult and not something I would ever want to go through again.

We did get a new puppy about 3 months ago, in part because we missed Cosmo so much. Being in a similar position to you, I do have a word of warning - no dog will ever replace the dog you lost and it is unfair to compare the new puppy to your old dog because he will always come up short. My memory of Cosmo was that he was almost perfect right out of the box. We did a fair amount of obedience when he was younger and it seemed like I never had to give him a correction. Once he understood what you wanted him to do, he was happy to do it. And he loved and was totally focused when we did training.

The new puppy is an obedience challenge. He will obey you and pay attention. Except if it's hot. Or he's tired. Or he's bored. Or there's an interesting smell on the ground. Or a butterfly flutters past. And while Cosmo was always calm indoors and willingly went into his crate on command, the puppy is a hellion in the house and has to be cornered and captured before he will grudgingly go into his crate.

Of course, I'm sure I've forgot what Cosmo was like as a puppy. And Cosmo was dog aggressive and could be sharp around people. And when riding in the car had to bark at every single person we drove past.

My point is that every dog is a unique individual, with pluses and minuses. It is unfair to compare one dog to another. And especially unfair to compare an untrained and immature puppy to the happy memories you have of his mature, fully trained predecessor.

Not to trivialize DM in any way , there are more pressing spinal problems in GSD .
I was looking for a video which I have provided that raises the alarm about lumbar stenosis.

Inbreeding----" T he wolves on Isle Royale are suffering from genetically deformed bones. Scientists from Michigan Technological University blame the extreme inbreeding of the small, isolated wolf population at the island National Park in northern Lake Superior.

Researchers have collected the first scientific evidence that inbreeding has caused genetic deterioration of the bones of the wolves of Isle Royale. Rolf Peterson and John Vucetich of Michigan Tech and their colleagues, Jannikke Raikkonen of the Swedish Museum of Natural History and Michael P. Nelson at Michigan State University, report on the congenital bone deformities in the latest issue of the journal Biological Conservation. The work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
The scientists found that 58 percent of the wolves on Isle Royale exhibit a congenital malformation in the lumbosacral region or lower back, and 33 percent display a specific deformity—lumbosacral transitional vertebrae—which can cause full or partial paralysis of the rear legs and tail, as well as back pain. It is a condition also seen in domestic dogs. Other malformations were found in the wolves as well.
For the last 12 years, every one of the dead wolves the researchers have found has displayed bone deformities. In contrast, these deformities occur in only 1 percent of studied wolf populations that are not inbred.
"Until recently, we didn’t know if the inbreeding was causing problems for the wolves," says Vucetich."

the discussion starts at point 9:26 - the vet joins in shortly . Unfortunately it is in German but there is enough visual material to allow some understanding .

This is serious stuff . Young dogs are affected .
There is no "test" , no one asks about it .

08-30-2014 04:17 AM

Sabis mom

Quote:

Originally Posted by McWeagle

This whole thread has made me cry. Sabis mom, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I completely understand your stance on wanting your next puppy to come from DM clear parents. To me, that test is just as important as having the hips and elbows x-rayed. I just got a puppy, and I made sure that his sire and dam were both DM clear and both had A-1/excellent hips and good elbows, and I checked longevity on all dogs I was able to trace. It's not a guarantee but it sure helps stack the deck in your favour. I did end up going with a WGSL though, which from what I understand isn't what you want.

I saw you mention Schraderhaus earlier - have you been in contact with them? I think they do DM testing.

Hold out for what you want. You'll find a pup to love again, and one that will love you right back. Your new little pup will come along at the right time. It's just hard to wait.

Thank you for supporting testing.

And thank you for your kindness, I'm sorry if I made you cry. I will wait as long as I have to for the right puppy.

Thank you to everyone who pm'ed me as well. Rest assured that all dogs in my home are well loved, even those with issues.

08-30-2014 04:07 AM

Sabis mom

We conclude that the SOD1:c.118A allele is widespread and common among privately owned dogs whereas the SOD1:c.52T allele is rare and appears to be limited to Bernese Mountain Dogs. We also conclude that breeding to avoid the production of SOD1:c.118A homozygotes is a rational strategy.

This whole thread has made me cry. Sabis mom, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I completely understand your stance on wanting your next puppy to come from DM clear parents. To me, that test is just as important as having the hips and elbows x-rayed. I just got a puppy, and I made sure that his sire and dam were both DM clear and both had A-1/excellent hips and good elbows, and I checked longevity on all dogs I was able to trace. It's not a guarantee but it sure helps stack the deck in your favour. I did end up going with a WGSL though, which from what I understand isn't what you want.

I saw you mention Schraderhaus earlier - have you been in contact with them? I think they do DM testing.

Hold out for what you want. You'll find a pup to love again, and one that will love you right back. Your new little pup will come along at the right time. It's just hard to wait.

08-29-2014 03:35 PM

Sabis mom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merciel

I don't know what you want anyone to say here.

That is a heartfelt tribute to a much-loved dog, but no one can tell you where to find another dog like that, because there is no other dog like that except one whose owner is willing to see her that way.

Essentially that description reads to me as: "find me a dog that I can love."

It's an impossible order. No one can find love for somebody else.

I'm just impressed that so far no one's had the temerity to pretend otherwise.

Your post made me cry. I miss her so desperately it's hard to even wake up every day.

I will try to simplify this then.

I need rock solid temperament, good health, trainability but not necessarily biddability, intelligence and working instinct.
Is that better?

08-29-2014 03:16 PM

Merciel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabis mom

Really???

I don't know what you want anyone to say here.

That is a heartfelt tribute to a much-loved dog, but no one can tell you where to find another dog like that, because there is no other dog like that except one whose owner is willing to see her that way.

Essentially that description reads to me as: "find me a dog that I can love."

It's an impossible order. No one can find love for somebody else.

I'm just impressed that so far no one's had the temerity to pretend otherwise.

08-29-2014 02:26 PM

Sabis mom

Really???

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